Story

The Flames Athletic Center houses two NCAA regulation size basketball courts, multiple locker rooms, a strength and conditioning area, a training room, and a sports medicine center, as well as administrative offices for coaches and the Athletic Department.  The objective of this project was to renovate and convert the existing UIC practice ice rink facility in order to accommodate these new activities.  After evaluation of the existing ice rink building, it was determined that the building would best be utilized as support and administrative space for the team sports and basketball programs.  Mekus Tanager designed a new gym with two basketball courts to be located on the south half of the existing building.  Also, a new mezzanine floor was designed to create two levels within the existing structure; a new glass entrance and circulation link was added in between the existing ice rink facility and the adjoining Physical Education Building.  The new 58,000-square foot facility provides the UIC athletic programs with a competitive advantage over rivals in the form of improved training, recruiting, and coaching conditions.